Amid pomp, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin was, Friday, crowned as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, capital of Oyo State.
In an epochal event was held at the Labosinde compound in the ancient city, the family whose right is to crown any Olubadan of Ibadanland, with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, leading other prominent traditional rulers in attendance.
Top among them was the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III. Also in attendance were a former Oyo State Governor and member of the Olubadan-in-Council, Senator Rasheed Ladoja and former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, among others.
The Crest recalls that Ibadan Kingmakers had unanimously nominated the Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, as the next Olubadan of Ibadan following the demise of Oba Dr. Moshood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who was the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Olakulehin was nominated as the 43rd Olubaban at a meeting held at Mapo Hall and chaired by Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasheed Ladoja. The Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, was, however, absent from the meeting.
The Otun Balogun of Ibadanland had, during the week, ignited a controversy when he declared that Olakulehin was ill and not physically fit to rule. But Senator Ladoja took the wind off his sail when he deflated Ajibola’s claim, describing it as his personal opinion on the health status of the new Olubadan.
Ladoja argued that Ajibola was not competent to make any definitive declaration on Oba Olakulehin’s health since he was not a trained doctor.